- 8
Ingredients
- Refried beans:
- 1/2 cup canned refried beans
- 3 Tbsp shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1 Tbsp chopped canned pickled jalapenos
- Spicy beef:
- 2 tsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, chopped fine
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 lb 90 percent lean ground beef
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp packed brown sugar
- 1 medium canned chipotle chile, chopped, plus 1 tsp adobo sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tsp lime juice
- Assembly:
- 1 9 1/2 ounce bag tortilla chips
- 4 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 2 jalapeno chilies, sliced into thin rings
Preparation
Step 1
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. For the refried beans: Pulse ingredients in food processor until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
3. For the spicy beef: Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Cook onions until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add beef and cook, breaking meat into small bits with wooden sppon and scraping pan bottom to prevent scorching, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, sugar, chile, and adobo sauce and cook until paste begins to darken, about 1 minute. Add water, bring to simmer, and cook over medium low heat until mixture is nearly dry, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in lime juice and transfer mixture to plate lined with several layers of paper towels. Use more paper towels, cover beef and blot up excess grease.
4. For Assembly: Spread half of chips on large oven proof serving platter or 13 by 9 inch baking dish. Pour 1/2 bag of chips onto baking dish, dollop half of bean mixture over chips, then spread evenly. Scatter half of beef mixture over beans, top with 2 cups of cheese and half of jalapenos. Repeat with remaining chips, beans, beef, cheese, and jalapenos. Bake until cheese is melted and just beginning to brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Serve with salsa and other suggested garnishes.